Size Effects in Transport Properties of PbSe Thin Films

Abstract

This paper presents an overview and analysis of our earlier obtained experimental results on the dependences of kinetic properties of single PbSe quantum wells and PbSe-based superlattices on the PbSe layer thickness d. The observed oscillatory character of these dependences is attributed to quantum size effects due to electron or hole confinement in quantum wells. Some general regularities and factors that determine the character of these quantum size effects are established. The influence of the oxidation processes and doping on the d-dependences of the transport properties is revealed. A periodic change in the conductivity type related to quantum size oscillations is detected. It is shown that the experimentally determined values of the oscillation period Δd are in good agreement with the results of theoretical calculations based on the model of a rectangular quantum well with infinitely high walls, taking into account the dependence of the Fermi energy e F on d and the availability of subbands below e F. It is established that the Δd value for the superlattices is practically equal to the Δd value observed for the single PbSe thin film.